In the Kitchen with Dora Cheng of Yee Mama

Findlay Kitchen on Elm St. is alive with energy and smells. At its core, Findlay Kitchen is a co-working space for those whose business is really good food. In the early hours of the morning, sounds of timers beeping and phones answered with a “Yes, chef?” echo through the halls lined with kitchens – offices for food making. Assistants cart bread through the halls, and cookies bake in an oven nearby as I talked with Dora Cheng. 

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OTRCH’s Amy Silver on the Need for Affordable Housing

It’s a gloomy day in Over-the-Rhine, but as soon as I step through the doors of the OTR Community Housing (OTRCH) office, I am greeted with nothing but warmth. With big windows, bright colors, and a smile from the folks at the front desk, I instantly feel welcome. There are people coming in and out with a kind of familiarity one might have with their favorite coffee shop. Everyone knows each other by name, and as its own namesake suggests, the only thing that comes to mind is the word “community.” 

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Get up and Grow with the Civic Garden Center

On a ridiculously windy February afternoon, I met Executive Director Karen Kahle at the Civic Garden Center (C.G.C.). Tucked away at the corner of William Howard Taft and Reading Road, the C.G.C., located inside the Hauck Botanic Gardens, is a plant lover's dream. Despite the cold, the property is full of life and activity as Karen and I sit down to chat about history, native plants, building community, ecology, and how we can all be better stewards of this place we call home.

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Goddess of the Blues: Cheryl Renée

Cincinnati native, world-traveled musician and “Goddess of the Blues,” Cheryl Renee is the kind of gal you’d want to have in your band. Not only is she an incredible pianist and singer, but she’s humble, spunky and self-sufficient. Cheryl has toured the world and continues to keep herself busy in Cincinnati’s music scene. But she doesn’t need the applause – she can often be seen shooing away the enthusiastic clapping and cheers after every set. No, there isn’t a need to remind her how good she is – she already knows. (But we’ll continue to be fan girls in the audience anyway).

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Giving Flowers to Cincinnati’s Black Women 

We celebrate Black stories all year. Women of Cincy’s staff gathered just a few snippets from interviews over the years that celebrate the unique perspectives, culture, mindsets, familial and community connections, and influences that arise from the Black experience. Celebrating Black stories is not just one action but instead is made up of many individual stories that coincide together. You can celebrate more Black stories with us here

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Dr. Hou-mei 后楣 Sung 宋: Educating Cincinnati on East Asian art and discovering a ‘magic mirror’

Dr. Hou-mei 后楣 Sung 宋 knows the challenge of overseeing an East Asian collection in a Western art museum. The collection, housed in a wing of the Cincinnati Art Museum, consists of paintings on scrolls, pottery, statues, plates, knives, armor – and one very special mirror – that were gifts, donations, or are on loan. Throughout our time together on a cold February afternoon, Dr. Sung emphasized the importance of art education in breaking down cultural and language barriers. 

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Excerpt: My UC Story 1973–1979 by Julia Montier-Ball

At UC, I was introduced to many contemporary people, places, and things that ultimately shaped my personality as an independent and critical thinker. I did my best in those years to experience the best UC had to offer, from the wonderful art gallery in the Student Union to the impromptu picnics in Burnet Woods. My life on campus was connected to the community, from the shops on Short Vine to the shotgun building with a loft down on Fourth Street that provided the setting for my final thesis project. In writing this essay, I came to realize just how significant growing up in an urban college setting was in creating a rich path for me toward my career goals.

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Julia Montier-Ball
Whitney Gaskins: See it, Be it – Breaking the Barriers of STEM

Women of Cincy sat down with Dr. Whitney Gaskins in the cutting-edge new Digital Futures building at the University of Cincinnati. With research labs, drone rooms, and contemporary architecture as the backdrop for our conversation, it was impossible to not be inspired and uplifted by all the hard work and advocacy Dr. Gaskins pours into her work every day, making sure everyone has a fair shot at a career in STEM.

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A chat with Dr. Janelle McClain, the “B.O.O.B.S. lady” herself, about breastfeeding and Black maternal health

Do you know those people that make you feel welcome with their smiles and warm invitation? Janelle McClain is one of those rays of light. She is a wealth of knowledge, and her passion for people is palpable.

Janelle McClain, affectionately often referred to as “the boobs lady,” is the C.E.O. and executive director of the community health maternal and child health services nonprofit program, Breastfeeding Outreach for Our Beautiful Sisters, also known as B.O.O.B.S. She proudly serves the community as a counselor, trainer, and advocate for mothers and babies. She is driven by her desire for a healthier, more supported community. I left our meeting feeling inspired by Janelle and her team’s work to promote breastfeeding awareness, education, and resources to Black women.

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February Events: Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, Art, and more!

Ready to escape the grey clouds and cold weather? We are, too! That’s why we assembled just a few of the many events happening around town this month. With new art exhibits, dance performances, Black History Month programs, sweet treats, crafting, and more, you can celebrate our community by supporting locally organized events.

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